Encouraging Emerging Singers of Handel's Music

The Annual Handel Aria Competition

The Handel Aria Competition is an annual event held in Madison, Wisconsin to promote the performance of Handel’s extensive vocal repertoire.

Note: Due to COVID-19, we have had to postpone our 2020 event.

The 8th annual Handel Aria Competition will be in 2021

Hamel Music Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Please join us on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 7:30 CDT for our online gala to support the singers who were finalists and winners during the first seven years of the Handel Aria Competition. Details to follow!

The 7th annual Handel Aria Competition • June 7, 2019

Mills Hall, Mead Witter School of Music, University of Wisconsin-Madison

For more information about the 2019 finalists and judges, please click here.

Exciting news: We are delighted to announce a cooperative initiative with the esteemed London Handel Festival! Morgan Balfour, our 2019 first prize winner, was invited to give a Tea Time Recital in Handel’s own parish church, St George’s in Hanover Square, on March 22, 2020. We provided a travel grant for Morgan, and the London Handel Festival arranged for her home stay in London as well as professional accompaniment. Unfortunately the cancellation of the London Handel Festival prevented this from taking place as planned, however it will be rescheduled.

Top image credit: New English Harpsichord after Thomas Barton, made in Somerset, England by Peter Barnes with a beautiful soundboard painting in the style of Coston by Jennifer Douglas.

Support Us with a donation which helps us support emerging singers throughout the competition process by underwriting travel grants and awards, as well as providing remuneration for competition judges and instrumental accompanists.

Please visit our YouTube channel to see past performances by finalists and competition winners including the